G4S Enhances Security Technology for Bay Area Rapid Transit
Upgrades to Security with no Commuter Interruptions
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a rapid-transit system serving the San Francisco Bay area. The heavy-rail public transit system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on 104 miles (167 km) of track with 44 stations in four counties. With average weekday ridership of 327,629 passengers, BART is the fifth-busiest heavy rail rapid transit system and one of the quietest in the United States.
G4S Technology (formerly Adesta) has recently upgraded security for BART. The project took place in San Francisco and Oakland, and was completed in the fall of 2010. G4S Technology implemented a complex physical security device installation program in BART train stations. The venture involved the installation of strategically located cameras, which connect to BART’s existing communications infrastructure.
For security reasons, neither BART nor G4S Technology can discuss details of the high-tech security equipment that was installed other than to say it has resulted in significant communication and infrastructure upgrades to several San Francisco and East Bay BART stations, as well as the Transbay Tube, which runs under the San Francisco Bay and carries half of BART’s passengers each workday. Nearly all the deployment activities took place during night and weekend hours to avoid impacting the daily transit operations for Bay Area commuters.
“BART has always been on the cutting-edge of protecting our passengers,” BART Board Member Zoyd Luce said. Luce chairs the agency’s security committee. “That said, we are constantly trying to stay one step ahead of those who would try to do us harm. We must do everything we can to protect BART because it is the backbone of the Bay Area’s transportation network and is critical to the economic survival of the region.”
“G4S Technology is honored to be able to bring our security expertise to a prestigious organization like BART,” said Bob Sommerfeld, President of G4S Technology “They are truly visionaries who have taken mass-transit to another level. We are confident that our superior and unique ability, service and technology will help them remain on the forefront of safety for their commuters, and continue their cause of fast, reliable and safe transportation for Bay area residents and visitors.”
Download the PDF: G4S Technology - Security upgrades with no commuter interruptions at BART- 2011